The ten-strong party will visit the £1 million WMNT Resource Centre, and see the results of West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust’s regeneration projects in the community, as they visit Longford Street and its alley, now an oasis of greenery in West Middlesbrough. They will then meet with “Just 4 Youth”, WMNT’s young person led consultancy and training service.
Linda Broadhead OBE, Chair of WMNT said: “This is the fourth year running that we’ve hosted this visit and we’re delighted that the Royal College of Defence Studies takes such an interest in regeneration at a local level. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase just what West Middlesbrough is achieving – the commitment of our Longford Street residents to the alleyway project is terrific, and is unique in Middlesbrough. The Just 4 Youth team are developing an excellent reputation through their work at a regional level, and are even gaining some national recognition now. It all shows how the transformation of one local community fits in to the bigger picture of the regeneration of the region.”
RCDS, which celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 2007, is part of the UK Defence Academy. Its mission is to prepare senior officers and officials of the UK and 48 other countries, and future leaders from the private and public sectors for high responsibilities in their respective organisations, by developing their analytical powers, knowledge of defence and international security, and strategic vision. By visiting areas such as West Middlesbrough, they hope to examine the current position and future prospects for the preservation and enhancement of the stability, security and prosperity of the region.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Photographers are welcome to meet the delegation and WMNT representatives at the WMNT Resource Centre, Meath Street, Middlesbrough at 10.45am on Friday 9th May and photograph any of the following activities:
- 10.45 RCDS group arrives at WMNT Resource Centre
- 10.45 -11am Visit to Longford Street alley with Mel Rollinson
- 11-11.30 am Refreshments at Resource Centre and discussion with WMNT’s
Just 4 Youth Team
Note to editor:
· RCDS runs one course a year, from January to December. Each course is attended by approximately 80 Members, around one-third from UK and two-thirds from overseas. 75% are military officers of Colonel/Brigadier or equivalent rank. The remaining 25% are civil servants, diplomats, police officers and representatives from the private sector. All have been selected to attend the course on the strength of their potential to progress to a high position within their profession. Their average age is 46.
- West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) is an expert deliverer of regeneration and change. Our vision for West Middlesbrough is a place where people are proud to live, work and raise their families. In January 2008, WMNT gained charitable status, paving the way WMNT to be sustainable by generating income to plough back into West Middlesbrough.
- Just 4 Youth delivers the NDC youth programme by providing a range of informal education programmes. These identify and develop young people with low self esteem, low confidence, low academic and vocational achievement and a feeling of disempowerment from the democratic process. This work enables young people from West Middlesbrough to move forward at key transition points in their life i.e. into the world of further education and employment. The young people involved also have the opportunity to gain accreditation for their work.
Just 4 Youth is currently also delivering the following programmes:
Ø A “Peer Education” programme for Kings Manor school, to enable students to educate their peers on a range of issues identified by young people. A similar programme is also being delivered in other schools, in association with the PCT around smoking cessation.
Ø Developing a youth advisory board for the regional 14-19 Commission, in association with The Regional Youth Work Unit NE, and Stockton Youth Service. This includes developing a Youth Forum, a website, and a regional conference to enable hundreds of young people across the North East to contribute to the work of 14-19 Commission.
Ø As part of the Youth Employment Scheme (YES), Just 4 Youth’s Young Employment Advisors are implementing an effective service for engagement with young people, to ensure they can access correct levels of support and services to reduce “worklessness” numbers across Middlesbrough.
Ø “Youthproofing” Local Policing Plans for all four Cleveland Police Areas.
Ends
WMNT224. 06/05/2008
Issued by Rachel Baker, Marketing Development Manager on (01642) 757870.